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Waaka te Rohu (smiling) : Yes, I know that they will announce, to those who look at the photographs the fact that they should not be allowed to cumber the ground. But perhaps you could tell the Tuhourangi Tribe the reason. Mr. Mitchell: It is now unnecessary : you have told them. Aperahama Wiari : With regard to the order of reference just read out, we would like to have a copy of it, so that we shall be able to understand it and discuss it intelligently. The Chairman : It could be read out clause by clause, and each clause discussed in turn. Aperahama Wiari : We would like our discussion in committee. I would suggest that the Commission take a walk for an hour. The Chairman : We will give you half an hour to go into the matter. [Commission resumed inquiry at 12 noon.] Waaka te Rohu : We have had a most profitable hour, but are sorry that we have exceeded the time allowed us. However, since we have come to some settlement the time is not wasted. We thank you for allowing Mr. Mitchell to assist us, for without his valuable assistance we would not have been able to arrive at any finality. Mr. Mitchell will explain what we have decided to do. Mr. Mitchell: In the first place, sir, this is the first time the Tuhourangi people have heard the order of reference, and they consider the Commission have very wide powers. They were told that the Ohinemutu people were given the opportunity to consider the reference read and submit a report of their deliberations to the Commission. They would therefore ask a little time to meet the Ohinemtitu people and discuss the matter, with a view to combining the suggestions for both pas and submitting one report as representing the united opinion of the people of these pas. The Chairman : Would their report be a written one ? Mr. Mitchell : Yes. The Ohinemutu people met last evening and arrived at certain proposals, and it is intended to submit those proposals to the Commission this evening. There are two exceptions which do not apply to the Ohinemutu people : they are (1) sports-ground, (2) access to the back portion (slope) of the pa. The Whakarewarewa people would like a small area—say, 5 acres —set apart as a sports-ground. The topography of Whakarewarewa shows that there is no land available for a playground. They suggest an area near the Post-office. The Chairman : Is that Crown land ? Mr. Mitchell: Yes. And to provide for the extension of the pa they suggest that the surveyed road leading to the back portion (slope) be formed so as to give access to that part of the pa. As to the approaches they are diffident at expressing any opinion, and, while they realize that something ought to be done to improve them, they have no suggestions to make. The Chairman : The written report you spoke of : would that include sanitation ? Mr. Mitchell: All the clauses are dealt with, and opinions are offered on each. The Chairman : One point the Commission would want to know is the overcrowding in the buildings. We would like concrete cases. Waaka te Rohu : I can give you several cases of overcrowding. (1.) Keepa Tamati family : This family occupies a four-roomed cottage. There are five married couples and four grandchildren, making a total of fourteen persons living in it. (2.) Wikiriwhi te Tuahu family : There are nine in this family, and they all live in a three-roomed cottage. (3.) Mihaka Makiha family : This family number ten, and live in a two-roomed cottage. There are other cases of similar nature. The Chairman : Are all these numbers included in the census papers ? Waaka te Rohu: No. Some of them were away when the census was taken, but the census is a fair indication of the population. The Chairman : Would you mind if the Commission inspected the houses ? Waaka te Rohu: We would like you to do so. The Chairman : I would like to know what is the method of disposal of nightsoil and rubbish. Waaka te Rohu : There is no method of disposal of nightsoil, but there is a small box provided for rubbish, but quite inadequate to cope with same. The Chairman : Do you not realize the necessity for a proper disposal of nightsoil ? Waaka te Rohu : Very much so, sir. The Chairman : When will you be ready with your report ? I would suggest that you submit it to the Commission as early as possible. Waaka te Rohu : We shall be ready by half-past 8 this evening. The Chairman : I would like to say that the Commission is not antagonistic in any way. We are here to do the best we can to improve your conditions, and would like your assistance and co-operation in the matter. Waaka te Rohu : We will assist you in anything that would be of benefit to us. The Chairman : The Commission will now adjourn till 8.30 this evening, when it will again sit to receive your report. In the meantime we will inspect the houses you mention, and any others you would like the Commission to see. Ohinemutu, Tuesday, 29th June (8.30 p.m.). Present: The same. The Ohinemutu Village report was submitted by Kepa Ehau, who asked that, in addition to what had been included in the report, a sports-ground between the wharf and the village be set apart for the Ohinemutu people. He also stressed the necessity of establishing a Maori school of art in the village. He hoped that the Commission would consider the matter in making its report. Wiremu Kingi, in a short speech, again referred to the great importance they attached to the work of the Commission. The Commission could be assured of the support of every inhabitant of

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